Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-03-03
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H4@W the Mayor OF New Work Looks
as she sabBect.
At the meeting Of high-hcense advo-
Gates In Ohiekering Hall, New York city,
ON Friday night, letter was read from
Mayor Hewitt, as follows
I find on the statute book license laws
affecting this city which have not, ms yet,
been properly enforced On the very first
day Of my term of office began 10 take
the necessary steps for the enforcement
Of the law as it stands. We have already
succeeded in closing up some of the worst
places OF resort, and in compelling the
proprietors 10 recognize that they cannot
continue to defy the law. This policy
will be pursued infiexibly until every
illegal place of resort in this city is shut
up, and, so far as possible, the proprie-
tors brought to trial and punished for
their misdeeds. The present city govern
Inent will, SO far as it has power, sternly
enforce any laws which the legislature
may zee ct TO adopt. Officially, ought
to refrain from becoming partisan in
reference to the matter OF license, but /
am free to say that as between prohibition
and high license, the general evidence
aeems to show that the former is q failure
@ ID the latter comparative success in
lhe states where it has been tried.
Whether il will be found practicable to
apply 1t successfully in this city is still O
debatable question. deem it only right
10 add that, so long rs the state by its
Liquidation becomes practical partner in
the business Of selling Intoxicating
liquors, it is neither Just NOR reasonable
to condemn Unfortunately all persons
who may see fit to engage in what is thus
made lawful business. So long as the
Law allows il, the selling of liquors is ex
actly on the same plane as the selling Of
all other commodities, and in every case
the laws regulating the traffic ought 70 BIZ
complied with. shall, therefore, reserve
all my condemnation for those who
violate the law, and by seeking to punish
the transgressors, think that am giving
Il those reputable dealers who obey
'tbe -rotection to which they
Finally, lest my posi-
be misunderstood, lei
lave long been convinced
later part OF the poverty; vice
and misery which exists in THU
Sountry is due to the immoderate use Of
alcoholic liquors. have never, however
deemed it polite or possible to prohibi
their moderate use, and every such at
tempt appears to have resulted either il
failure or the substitution of much morl
dangerous stimnlants. If 1 were st
y minded, / could not even succeed in en-
Forcing prohibition in my own family
how then can consistently advocate tn
attempt to enforce prohibition upoi
others? Hence, believe in the necessit,
for the regulation of the traffic, and an
quite ready to give my hearty support Il
such measures If regulation as experience
shall show to be adapted to the charaete
and habits of the population of escl
locality. II experience should shoy
that high license is best fitted 70
New York, il will receive my heart
assent; but at this juncture feel that
Is wiser 10 give all my effort to the en-
fcement Of the existing laws. / hav
me to the conclusion that the law SHOULD
q modified SO as to permit the selling 0
Deer and light wines on Sunday afternool
in such places as shall be special
licensed for that purpose. In view of III
fact that a very large portion Of our POP
ulstion come from countries in which th
sabbath afternoon is used for recreatio
as well as rest, and that the privilege q
taking light refreshment in social gather
ings Il rarely abused by them, it would, i
my iu cement, contribute very much I
the eass with which we could prevent VII
lat:ons Of the law if this concession to Il
habits ard wishes CO portion Of OIL
people could be made. With this obst
ole out of our way, believe that Il
evils of the Sunday traffic in stro,
drinks could be altogether abatet
but do not intend
this suggestion to put any obstacle in L
path of otherwise desirable legislatio
As rule, sumptuary legislation is n
popular. Where it becomes necessary
interfere by law with the domestic hab
Of the people, education must prece
actual legislation. Laws passed in a
vance of the actual demand of pub
opinion either lead to violence or q
entirely disregarded. No one can dou
that public opinion is now fixed in fay
of temperance, and henceforth it will
easy to regulate the traffic in alcohol
liquors provided we do not insist up,
the passage of laws which are in adyau
of the sentiments Of the mass Of Il
people. Il seems to me, therefore, til
nvdelatiuu in legislation is quite
necessary as it is in the use Of intoxicatil
liquors, and that the strict enforceme
of the law, whatever it may be- is &C
dition precedent for the permanent 81
cess Of the temperance reform which
SO much desire 10 secure as permant
boon to the community.